Workboat Academy

A maritime career offers purpose, stability, and a clear path forward—without the debt of a traditional college degree. As one MAP apprentice put it, instead of sitting through online learning courses, you get “sunsets, the sunrises, the San Juans — they’re just unparalleled.”

Created to diversify and replenish the industry, the Maritime Apprenticeship Program (MAP) removes barriers for those who want a career at sea but haven’t had a clear path. Today, 40% of apprentices identify as women or people of color.

Thanks to our partnership with Washington State Ferries, MAP is helping young people build lasting, union-backed careers — and keeping the ferry system strong for years to come.

Read the full article: https://ecs.page.link/2HtM5

We’re at the Washington Women in Trades Career Fair today, sharing maritime career opportunities and apprenticeship pathways with students and job seekers.

Thanks to Washington Women in Trades for highlighting hands-on careers and helping more women explore life at sea!

Don't miss the latest edition of Wheelhouse Weekly! bit.ly/WheelhouseWeekly

It's Weather Wednesday! MITAGS is proud to be a NOAA Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador bit.ly/WRNA

An update was made to U.S. Precipitation Frequency Standards to now account for climate trends. Learn more bit.ly/3Oj9iWl

MITAGS Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week!

Next up, BRANDI SALAZAR, Washington State Ferries MAP 2024 bit.ly/3ALsd9l

Our partnership with Washington State Ferries is a joy. Thank you for all you do!

Our apprenticeship program is a great opportunity for those who want to be a mate or captain on our ferries. Our next 2-year, full-ride scholarship class includes 12 individuals from across Puget Sound & California. They begin training in January. In partnership with MITAGS, this program develops students to become licensed deck officers – no maritime experience required. Here’s what members of our current class have to say about the program.

MITAGS West and Radiation Emergency Safety Tactics LLC conducted a large-scale radiation emergency response exercise with the Seattle Fire Department and numerous other area fire departments. Almost 50 students received training in handheld radiation detectors, team responses, and decontamination.

MITAGS Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week!

First up, PATRICK DOUGAN, Puget Sound Port Captain, Vane Brothers. MITAGS Maritime Apprenticeship Program (MAP) Workboat 2008 (the first cohort). Former Full-time MITAGS West Instructor. bit.ly/3ALsd9l

MITAGS Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week! Join us as we check in on some of our Maritime Apprenticeship Program (MAP) graduates.

Are you a MITAGS MAP graduate? Message us photos, and an update on what you're doing, who you're working for, and what inspires you about the maritime industry. We'd love to share!

We are excited to use, for the first time, the fully-upgraded equipment in Classroom A at MITAGS West for an ARPA class with the 2024 Washington State Ferries Maritime Apprenticeship Program (MAP) cohort.

Coursework includes a practical navigation exercise in Puget Sound. Each student navigates their own ship and interacts with classmates. Students are responsible for the safe handling of their ship, awareness of other vessels, traffic lanes, currents, etc.

Emily Hopkins, Director, MITAGS West Coast Campus, attended the ISWG-STCW meeting at the International Maritime Organization - IMO. MITAGS was part of the U.S. delegation that included representatives from other maritime academies, training centers, the United States Coast Guard, and Maritime Administration - MARAD.

MITAGS West hosted the Washington State Legislature Maritime Caucus for a Washington Maritime Trades tour.

The day began and ended at the Eagle Harbor Ferry Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island. Partners included:

The Inland Boatman’s Union (IBU)
International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU)
Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA)
The Masters, Mates, & Pilots (MM&P)
Washington State Ferries (WSF)
Pacific Maritime Association (PMA)

The tour provided policymakers with a comprehensive view of the issues that face Washington’s maritime industrial sector. Insights were gained on the perspectives of the workers who operate different facets of an economic ecosystem that supports 174,300 total jobs, contributes $14.4 billion in wages, $45.9 billion in business revenue, and $382 million annually in Washington state taxes.